The Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce has proposed three solutions to help mend the disrepair that has occurred between the Chilliwack Minor Hockey Association and the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs.
It was revealed last month that CMHA members were being recommended to not partake in any sort of activity with the Chiefs or the BCHL after the league’s decision to divorce itself from Hockey Canada earlier this year.
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According to the CMHA, any association with the Chiefs by its members could lead to serious penalties, including restrictions on participating in tournaments and other significant repercussions.
It’s a similar story over in Langley, where youth are not allowed to participate in activities for the BCHL’s Langley Rivermen.
The chamber stated that the fracture hurts young athletes in Chilliwack.
“Minor hockey players are missing out on invaluable chances to play and interact with their BCHL idols,” the chamber released in a statement earlier this week. “These experiences are crucial not only for their skill development but also for fostering a sense of community and sportsmanship. Similarly, BCHL players are being deprived of leadership and mentorship opportunities, roles instrumental in shaping these young athletes into responsible and contributing members of society, as well as future leaders.”
Chamber leadership added that they have reached out to the CMHA, BC Hockey and the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association for more clarification on the rules and policies in place. They believe that the groups can move forward with the Chiefs.
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They also noted that there at least two BCHL teams that have received official confirmation from BC Hockey to continue involvement, as long as appropriate insurance is required, with various minor hockey activities such as Timbits intermission games, 50/50 raffles, participation of minor hockey players in ice cleaning crews and more. The chamber stated that effective communication led to these decisions and they want to encourage that in Chilliwack.
Enhanced communication is the first of those aforementioned three solutions and they said it has to be clear and consistent between the CMHA, parents, BCHL and BC Hockey.
They added that community forums should be organized to allow stakeholders to discuss concerns and find common ground to benefit Chilliwack youth. Lastly, they stated that collaborative initiatives should be launched to facilitate community events between youth and the local sports partners involved in this dispute.
“We believe in the power of hockey to build character, foster community spirit, and develop future leaders, and we advocate for a resolution that aligns with these values,” the statement reads.
The Chiefs did tell The Progress earlier this month that they understand the pressure that the CMHA is under, but that they want everyone to be included in the new era of the BCHL and that they believe in celebrating hockey at all levels.